It has been fifteen years since we last saw the original headstones fill the hillsides at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland park. Claude Coats, Marc Davis and X Atencio are just a few of the masterminds behind the Haunted Mansion whose whimsical headstones disappeared. I spoke with art director Kim Irvine who explained how the headstones made it back to their original home.
The original headstones and the Imagineers they represented are as follows:
- Claude Coats (lead designer – specializing in backgrounds and environments, he also developed the Omnimover layout)
- At Peaceful Rest Lies Brother Claude
Planted Here Beneath This Sod - Marc Davis (lead designer – specializing in character design and sight gags)
- In memory of our Patriarch
Dear Departed Grandpa Marc - X Atencio (script and song)
- Requiescat Francis Xavier
No time off for good behavior R.I.P. - Bill Martin (concept architect)
- Here Lies A Man Named Martin
The Lights Went Out on this Old Spartan - Dave Burkhart (models)
- Dear Departed Brother Dave
He Chased a Bear into A Cave - Yale Gracey (special effects and illusions)
- Master Gracey Laid to Rest
No Mourning Please, at His Request. Farewell - Bob Sewell (models)
- R.I.P. Mister Sewell
The victim of a dirty duel, Peaceful rest - Chuck Myall (show designer)
- R.I.P., in memoriam Uncle Myall,
Here you’ll lie for quite a while - Gordon Williams (sound and Audio-Animatronics system)
- Good Friend Gordon
Now you’ve Crossed the River Jordan - Cliff Huet (architecture/interiors)
- Rest in Peace Cousin Huet
We All Know You Didn’t Do It - Wathel Rogers (figure animation)
- Here Rests Wathel R. Bender
He Rode to Glory on a Fender - Fred Joerger (models/effect modeling)
- Here Lies Good Old Fred
A Great Big Rock Fell on His Head, R.I.P.
Comments
It’s so awesome to have those tombstones back. And it’s really cool that there are a few new ones for the Imagineers who helped bring them back. 🙂
You forgot Imagineer Rolly Crump! Rolo Rumkin is a tribute to him and his very important work with Yale Gracey developing the ride.
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